Determining Hanger Spacing for Replacement Leaf Springs on Trailer

Question

Question:

Hi, I am replacing broken leaf springs on and old trailer and I’m having a hard time finding the same size. They are 22 1/4” long . I am wondering if there is something else I should be using someone possible setup the trailer wrongThat being said , why do you want the hanger spacing slightly bigger than the spring when everything I see shows the spring hanging slightly past the rear hanger. That doesn’t make sense to me. Seems like it should be the other way around. Could you please clarify?

asked by: Dale

0

Expert Reply:

The closest leaf spring set we have available to the 22-1/4 inch length you mentioned is the 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring # SP-113275. This double-eye leaf spring features a length of 23-1/2 inches from the center of the spring eye to the center of the other spring eye. I recommend making sure you are measuring your existing leaf spring from the center of one eye to the center of the other. This particular set is designed for 2,000 pound axles, so you will want to also make sure any new springs are rated appropriately. The closest leaf spring we have with a shorter length is the 3-Leaf # e84SR, which measures 20-3/8 inches long.

If your current springs do indeed have a 22-1/4 inch long eye to eye measurement, then you may need to remove and weld on new hangers to install a different length spring.

Generally speaking, on a single axle trailer, the hanger spacing will actually be about 1/2 inch shorter than the spring length. So for the above mentioned 23-1/2 inch long springs, the hangers will be spaced apart about 23 inches on center.

I have included a helpful article on trailer suspension that you might also find helpful, along with link that will take you directly to our available selection of leaf springs and hangers that you can look through.

expert reply by: Chris R

0

Tom H.

2/28/2020

I have a 1991 magic Loaded Tandem boat trailer for up to 22 boat im gonna replace all 4 springs my springs seems to be 20 eye to eye do yall think i can use your 20 3/8 spring thanks

Chris R.

2/28/2020

Our 20-3/8" long leaf springs like the 2,000 pound # e84SR mentioned above are definitely the closest in size to the 20" measurement you took on the existing springs. These will probably work just fine, but I am a little concerned about getting new leaf springs that are larger than the current units (even if just by a little bit) because older springs will have stretched out over time. This means if the existing springs on your trailer are really old, most likely you would actually need a new set that measures shorter than their current length. Did you measure the springs with the trailer jacked up (or with the springs fully removed)?

Answer 1

Actually, what will solve your axle-to-frame clearance issue you are having the easiest would be to move the axles from being above the leaf springs to below the leaf springs. That will give you a great deal more clearance between the frame and the…

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Answer 2

The recommended clearance with leaf spring suspension on an unloaded trailer is between 2 - 2-1/2 inches. You should have sufficient clearance with your loaded trailer, as leaf springs only tend to deflect 1-1/2 inch when carrying a load.

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Answer 3

I checked with Dexter, manufacturer of many trailer parts, and according to them there should be at least 1 inch of space between the tires when under load. So once your trailer is loaded and ready to tow, if you have more than 1 inch of space…

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Answer 4

The bolts you referenced on the Trailer Axle Beam with Easy Grease Spindles #e33GR are indeed for the brake flange. Most axles will not come with these so you'll typically need to source them separately. If you're looking into replacing an…

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Answer 5

You can get the longer U-bolts here; I checked with Roadmaster, and the 2630 are simply 7 inch long U-bolts, so you can use the following: - 3" Round Trailer U-Bolts (Qty 2) #SP01-060 These are 7 inches long so they are the same, and for a…

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Answer 6

In order for your trailer suspension to function properly you will want the angle of the shackle strap to be towards the axle so that as the leaf spring compresses and expands it will have somewhere it can go. Otherwise, you will not get the optimum…

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Answer 7

Hello Greg. Generally, yes, shackles are required for any single axle utility trailer. The diagram below will show you the components of a typical single axle setup. You will have shackles on the rear hangers only. This is because as your axle hits…

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Answer 8

When using the 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 4,000-lb Trailer Axles part #e27SR with the Single-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs part #APS4 you will need to space the leaf spring hangers 25-3/4" apart.

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Answer 9

Hey Shawn, so we can definitely help but you will have to measure your current springs to get right length as we don't have a way to look that info up. Here are the sizes we carry: part #e34SR for 25-1/4 inch part #e94SR 26 inch part #e47sr…

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Answer 10

The 6-Leaf Double-Eye Spring #e94SR will work as a replacement for your Dexter 072-097-02 leaf spring. You Dexter spring is the same 26" length as ours but ours will have 6-leaves versus the 4 on your Dexter spring.

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Answer 11

The big things we are looking for on the label are the weight capacity, hub face (HF) length, and the spring center (SC) distance. Your axle is a 4,400 lb 85" HF and 68-1/2" CS Dexter axle. I will tell you up front that we do not carry a…

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Answer 12

Though I do tend to warn people about the ride getting stiffer when upping the capacity of their leaf springs, you are correct in that you will technically never be fully "unloaded". I do have to mention that this could still happen, but…

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